Cord and knot magick have been used for ages. Druids used to tie cords around their waists in various colors identifying their craft specialty, and the number of knots was indicative of their rank.
In Cord magick, the spells are simply prepared ahead of time, and then used as needed. Each knot is then untied releasing the power entrapped in the cord over nine consecutive days. These work great when you need a bit of quick magick.
For cord magick you will need a cord, or cingulum as it is sometimes called, that is nine feet long (three times three; the perennial magick number) and is the color appropriate to the magickal working.
Like your Athame, no one else should ever use your cord but you. Tie a knot in each end to keep it from unraveling. Make sure it is nine feet long (small ones can be made from 9 inches of cord or thread). Consecrate the cord, when done.
One magickal use of the cord is as a "storage cell" for the power. The first knot is tied at one end, with the words "By knot of one, the spell's begun." At this point, chanting or meditation is appropriate until you feel it is time to
tie another knot.
The second knot is tied on the opposite end with the words: "By knot of two, the power has come through". Take "aim" at this time by visualizing your need or desire being fulfilled. As the power builds, more knots are tied until there are nine knots in the cord.
Here is the pattern of tying, together with the appropriate words:
By knot of ONE, the spell's begun
By knot of TWO, the power has come through,
By knot of THREE, so must it be
By knot of FOUR, this power I store
By knot of FIVE, the power's alive
By knot of SIX, this power I fix
By knot of SEVEN, the power to leaven
By knot of EIGHT, tie up the Fate
By knot of NINE, what's done is mine
At the tying of the last (ninth) knot, all the energy is directed into the cord and its knots, with a final visualization of the object of the work. The power has been raised and is now "stored" in these knots in the cord.
Why would you want to store a spell? For some magick, the time for it to happen is important.
Suppose, for example, that you want something constructive to happen but the most propitious time for it to do so happens to be close to the New Moon. Do you do your constructive magick during the Waxing Moon? No. You do it early on, at the Full Moon, using a cord.
Now the power is there, properly raised, but stored for use.
You have nine knots. Although they are all tied in one ritual, these must be released one at a time - one a day - for nine consecutive days. Release them in the same order in which they were tied, NOT the reverse order.
In other words, on the first day untie the knot that was first tied (to know which end you started with, when making the cord, braid in a small wooden bead at one end and always start with this end); on the second day, the second knot tied; and so on.
In this fashion, the last knot untied, on the ninth day, is the ninth knot that was tied at the climax of the tying ritual - the time of greatest power.
Each day, before you actually untie, do your concentration on what is to happen, visualize and again building power. Then, as you release the knot, release the power.
Cords should be of natural materials, such as wool, the best, or cotton. It is best to braid, weave or spin your own cords, if you have the time!
